Cambridge College Guide to the MFT Program

Making the right choice among California’s MFT programs can shape your future therapy career significantly. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences has approved several institutions that offer these specialized programs. Cambridge College stands out by providing graduate-level professional training with a steadfast dedication to serving an evolving multicultural society.

Core components matter greatly for both campus-based and online MFT programs in California. Cambridge College’s Marriage and Family Therapy program aligns perfectly with California licensure standards while maintaining manageable program requirements. Students must complete no more than 60 credits and accumulate at least 150 hours of direct face-to-face client contact over multiple terms. This piece will help you find the right path at Cambridge College to achieve your therapeutic career goals.

MFT Program Snapshot

Cambridge College’s Marriage and Family Therapy program stands out from other MFT programs in California with its well-laid-out approach and clear paths to licensure. Students need 60 credits spread over 5-6 terms to graduate. Most students who take a full course load finish in about 4 years. The timeline can be shorter with accelerated coursework or transfer credits.

The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) accredits this program. Cambridge College takes a secular approach without any religious focus. This creates room for different points of view within the curriculum.

Working professionals can advance their careers since most classes happen during evenings and weekends. Students can start their education any time of year thanks to year-round enrollment options.

Money matters when choosing an MFT program. Cambridge College’s total tuition runs approximately $34,020, making it a competitive choice in California.

Term 1 courses are the foundations of Term 2 and beyond. Students can take up to 4 courses each term, which helps balance school with life commitments. On top of that, students interested in dual preparation can choose a Professional Clinical Counselor concentration.

Clinical experience is a vital part of the program. Students must log at least 150 hours of direct face-to-face client contact over multiple terms. They also need 75 more hours of either client-centered advocacy or additional counseling experience. This hands-on training gives graduates both theory knowledge and practical skills they need to be effective therapists.

The program prepares students to meet all licensing requirements set by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Graduates can move forward confidently with their state licensure after completion.

Pathways and Specializations

Cambridge College’s Marriage and Family Therapy program gives students a range of therapeutic skills through a well-laid-out pathway. Your studies will help you become skilled at various psychotherapeutic techniques to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups. The program teaches you assessment, diagnosis, and treatment methods within Marriage and Family Therapy practice.

Cambridge College stands out among California MFT programs with its optional Professional Clinical Counselor concentration. You can prepare for both MFT and PCC licensure at the same time with this dual-track option. Interns can apply supervised hours toward both licenses when supervision requirements are met, which maximizes career opportunities without extending the education timeline.

The curriculum builds your expertise over five terms, with each term focusing on specific competencies. You’ll learn strategies to prevent and treat substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental illnesses. Graduates are ready to handle complex family dynamics and individual psychological challenges.

Here’s how your learning experience unfolds:

• Term 1: Foundation in research methods, counseling theory, and human development
• Term 2: Advanced skills in psychopathology, group dynamics, and marriage/family therapy techniques
• Term 3: Ethics, career development, and trauma response
• Term 4: Cross-cultural counseling and substance abuse treatment
• Term 5: Psychological testing and psychopharmacology

This step-by-step approach helps you develop specialized skills in a systematic way. You’ll build core theoretical foundations before applying them to complex therapeutic situations.

The program focuses on cultural competence and ethical practice to help you serve California’s diverse communities. You’ll also learn about research design and methodology, and become familiar with state regulations for marriage and family therapy practice.

After completing the program, you’ll be academically prepared to become a licensed marriage and family therapist in California. If you choose the dual concentration, you can also pursue professional clinical counselor licensure.

Learning Options and Flexibility

Students need flexible learning options to balance their education with work and personal life. Cambridge College understands this need and has designed their MFT program specifically for adult learners.

The program’s schedule works well with daytime jobs, as evening classes start as late as 8:00 p.m.. You can pick between fully online asynchronous formats that let you set your own weekly study schedule, or hybrid options that blend on-campus and remote (Zoom) sessions.

Cambridge College stands out from other California MFT programs because of its adaptable graduation timeline. You can complete the required field experience over four semesters. This setup allows you to keep your full-time job and graduate in two years. The program lets you move at your own pace if you need more time.

The college’s clinical experience options make it unique. You can choose:

• Your preferred location
• A convenient schedule
• The population you wish to work with during your internship

Students get more hands-on experience here than in many other social work master’s programs.

Most MFT programs in California know their graduate students often work full-time and have families. Program completion times vary:

• Full-time programs take 2-2.5 years
• Part-time options run 3-4 years
• Some flexible programs give up to 5 years

California’s online MFT programs do more than just offer flexible schedules. They give students access to clinical placements throughout California’s communities. Students can gain experience in different settings. These programs also help build connections with practicing MFTs through virtual networking, guest lectures, and webinars.

Cambridge College’s curriculum blends academic knowledge with practical skills, preparing students for both in-person and telehealth therapy settings.

Admission Requirements

Your journey toward enrollment in California’s MFT programs begins by meeting admission criteria. Cambridge College expects several essential components from students who want to join their counseling graduate programs.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university serves as the basic qualification. Students need to submit a completed online application with a USD 50.00 fee, which increases to USD 100.00 for international students. Cambridge College must receive official transcripts in sealed, unopened envelopes directly.

The college requires a detailed résumé that showcases your education and work experience. You’ll also need to write a 500-word personal statement about your professional experience and graduate study goals. Two professional recommendations that speak to your character and your ability to handle graduate work complete the application.

Cambridge College takes an all-encompassing approach to assess applications, unlike other California MFT programs with specific GPA requirements. Most competitive MFT programs expect a minimum 3.0 GPA typically.

International students applying to California’s online MFT programs need their transcripts translated and assessed by an approved agency. Some programs might ask for an interview to determine if you’re a good fit.

Note that California requires MFT licensure candidates to finish supervised experience hours after getting their qualifying master’s degree.

Why Choose This Program

Cambridge College’s Marriage and Family Therapy program stands out from other MFT programs in California with unique advantages that go way beyond the reach and influence of standard academic credentials.

The job market looks incredibly promising. Mental health counseling careers will grow by 18% from 2022 to 2032 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—substantially faster than average occupational growth. Licensed mental health counselors in Massachusetts now earn an average of $83,817 per year as of January 2024.

Students get more hands-on field experience at Cambridge College compared to many similar social work master’s programs. You can choose your preferred location, schedule, and client population during internships.

The program’s faculty combines deep clinical counseling expertise with exceptional teaching skills that work great for adult learners. Students also get specific preparation to meet California’s licensing requirements set by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.

The program gives you the essential skills in:

• Psychotherapeutic techniques for individuals, couples, families, and groups
• Prevention and treatment strategies for substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental illnesses
• Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment within your practice scope
• Research methodology and state regulations

Cambridge College emerges as an excellent choice among online MFT programs in California with its complete benefits and focus on practical education.